Justice on hold: Authorities fail to restore block office

Even after eight days of the High Court’s stay order in Civil Writ Petition (CWP) No. 10908, restraining the state government from enforcing the relocation of the Block Development Office (BDO) from Nagrota Surian to Jawali, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department has failed to restore the office to its original location. The delay, allegedly due to departmental apathy, has triggered widespread resentment among locals.

The office, operational in Nagrota Surian for over five decades, was ordered to be shifted to Jawali through a government notification issued on June 10. The move sparked a strong backlash from local residents and adjoining gram panchayats, who staged a 27-day relay fast under the banner of Save Nagrota Surian Development Block Sangharsh Samiti in protest.

Sanjay Mahajan, president of the Sangharsh Samiti and one of the petitioners in the CWP, said despite submitting a copy of the High Court’s stay order to the BDO, no steps had been taken to restore the office. He added that a contempt petition is being filed this week against the authorities concerned. Mahajan accused local MLA and Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar of deliberately sidelining Nagrota Surian by supporting the relocation.

According to him, the office records were hurriedly shifted to Jawali on the morning of July 8 under heavy police presence—prior to office hours—despite ongoing public protest. Although the High Court granted a stay on the same day, officials proceeded with relocating the staff to Jawali on July 9. The petitioners had attempted to inform the department about the pending court hearing, but their pleas were ignored.

Manoj Kumar, Block Development Officer, confirmed receiving the court order via WhatsApp at 4.30 pm on July 8. However, he claimed he is awaiting official instructions from the Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department, before taking any action to restore the office.

The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for August 5.

Himachal Tribune